Living in 2 Worlds

"Luck", Nakia, Oynx & "Ma" Joeann

I have always lived in 2 separate, yet rewarding worlds.  My family back east can confirm that statement.

Growing up I never was a 100% fit in either and over time, years...I have learned to navigate artfully through both.

Going "home" this last week I have come to grips that living in the different worlds is okay and beneficial.  And please DO NOT let anyone tell you that there aren't 2 different worlds, with rites, roles, standards and traditions....THEY ARE LYING TO YOU!!

Nakia & Yolanda "Luck"

In the world of my youth and honestly with the help of a very "black" sister, I learned a lot.  Me, being black, is not just a given to knowledge of my culture...it is learned also.  My sister as well as many others spoke and speak to me in an intelligent dialect that is spoken within the community and yes I do believe that the dialect spoken in the black community can and is of intelligence.  I believe all language is, especially when it services a purpose, conveys a message and understood.  It is a language.  But I am digressing from the worlds.

I loved being at home with my family and listening to the speak.  I loved knowing the fact that although I have been away from them I could still easily slip in and still understand and know what was going on and being said and if need be I could communicate in the same fashion, but I didn't need to...."I just did me."

Now with that in mind, I traveled home to Utah...my other world.  My world where my husband and children are.  A world vastly different than the world of my youth.  Standards...different.  Speak....different.  Traditions...different. But the fact that I can navigate back into it is all a wonder and a pleasure to me.

Knowing that little bit of information had me thinking on my trip home about my best gal pal, Brandi.  I really wanted her to come home with me, to see where I grew up.  To really witness the beauty of Charlotte.  But as I pondered my experience...I don't think she would have been ready for how culturally different my 2 worlds are.  One day we will go and hopefully experience the joys of Charlotte. 

Being that my worlds are different and I have family in both, I am really going to make efforts to bring them together.  The hard part is where to start.